Investigators honored at council meeting

By JACQUELINE BOSTICK | The News Herald

Published: Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 09:45 PM.

-Council member Keith Curry announced the city has obtained $9,500 of insurance coverage on the amphitheater, which saved the city $7,146. He commended council members and all who were involved in negotiations.

-The mayor announced the city will hold a budget workshop on the general fund on July 31 at 9 a.m.

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Two investigators were honored at a City Council meeting after leading their respective departments to bring to justice a local man who swindled thousands of dollars in the name of a veterans group.

At a Panama City Beach City Council meeting on Thursday, representatives from the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and Soldiers’ Angels of Northwest Florida Brigade formally recognized Sgt. Eusebio Talamantez, criminal investigator at the Panama City Beach Police Department, and Matthew Pavese, assistant state attorney and prosecutor, for their work in a case involving Joseph Gable Wood — a man who was sentenced to five years in prison last month for pulling a $15,000 scam in the name of Wounded Warriors.

Veterans, supporters and people who donated money — never to be reimbursed — to Woods’ so-called Tour de Beach for wounded warriors filled the room, clad in black leather vests and colorful insignia.

“It was as bad of scam as there ever was pulled on as good of a group you could pull a scam on,” said John Reichard, vice mayor and an organizer of Soldiers’ Angels.

The duo was recognized for “their speedy and excellent work in apprehending and convicting this felon. They literally had him in jail the next day,” Reichard said. “They did a great job.”

Bruce “BooDog” Tortorella, a decorated Vietnam veteran and member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association gave the presentation.

“ ‘Never forget, never again’ is an anthem from Vietnam era vets which is to this day not to be taken lightly. Mr. Wood forgot,” Tortorella had said in a news release leading up to the presentation.

Also at the meeting, several rewritten job descriptions in the Police Department were approved. The changes included the chief’s job description, which Reichard commented on, jokingly saying Chief Drew Whitman is being asked to do too much.

“I don’t know how he could do all of that stuff; he’d be dead,” Reichard chuckled. “He’s done a great job,” he added.

However, Whitman replied to the board that he has a “very understanding wife.”

“It’s my pleasure to serve this city. It’s my dream job. I love working for you guys,” he said.

In other action:

-Felicia Cook of Panama City Beach was appointed to the planning board and all three members of the city’s examining board — Darrell Rizutto, Robert Klemen and Danny Cohen — were reappointed to the board.

-The council tabled a vote of an ordinance that amends the city’s sign code and redefines “projecting sign” due to failure to meet a quorum during a planning board meeting. The city’s attorney said discussions can resume at the next meeting meeting scheduled in August.

-Council member Keith Curry announced the city has obtained $9,500 of insurance coverage on the amphitheater, which saved the city $7,146. He commended council members and all who were involved in negotiations.

-The mayor announced the city will hold a budget workshop on the general fund on July 31 at 9 a.m.